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I will soon have a Canadian Berliner basket case. I want to do an accurate restoration, but I have been having trouble tracking down any photos of this exact model with the bullet brake. The serial number is A16594. There are no holes for the reproducer resting bracket, so I assume that it has the traveling arm that is more vertical than horizontal and has the built in stops. It also has a victor type bullet break, so I am thinking that it is from about 1903 or 1904. I don't know about the reproducer, but I am thinking that it was probably one like the Victor Concert. Also a good source for nickel plating would be helpful. Any help, especially pictures or a serial number-date list would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

I looked at the previous thread about the machine and studied the pictures. i agree with you that this is a late one. The bullet brake is correct on it. A Concert would be correct or maybe an Exhibition. I'm not quite sure, but I lean towards that. There is the possibility that the traveling arm is like what you see on a Victor R or an E. I think the horn is a black one with brass bell 14" long with a 9 ½" bell. I am not sure if these used a leather elbow or the brass screw in elbow. Though scarce, these parts are ca lot easier to find than the early Berliner parts. Good luck with your project.
Harvey Kravitz













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Thanks Harvey. I will do the motor and cosmetic work first, so I have some time. It looks like it has waited for some caring for a long time already.

These pics might help you:

Bob S.

Thank you for sharing. It goes without saying, that is a great machine. Mine is a bit newer, but that sets a high bar.

Several different machines are shown, so I assume it would be correct with a wooden traveling arm, either vertical, like a Victor front mount or horizontal, like a Berliner. Keep your eyes peeled for a correct crank - straight with no bend, as they are hard to find. The horn can be either all black or all brass, so that leaves some room for locating one. You need a record hold down and reproducer. The reproducer shown will be very hard to find... so a long throat Concert would be my next choice...

But wait... I forgot you made one from scratch, so I guess you can make a duplicate with the correct engraving...

Actually, most of the above information and pics are incorrect.

This Canadian Berliner Type A would have had a unusal cannon type brake (Canadian). The sound box would have been a Canadian Berliner "Automatic" (1903 version) and the horn could have been one of at least three styles available for this model.
Most of these parts are impossible to find today, and those that have spares would prefer to keep them.

Your machine dates from the end of Type A production....1903-04.The crank is also incorrect.

In my opinion....you have a slim chance at completing this machine correctly.

Here are pics of my complete Type A serial #16,***.

Also, an artist rendition (circa 1903) of the late model Type A. The only artistic licence is the data plate placed on the wrong side of the case. This was done for obvious marketing reasons.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for the information. I will do what I can to make the restoration as authentic as possible, but the horn may have to be a substitute and I may have to produce my own reproducer and crank. I have some very old quarter sawn oak for the traveling arm and making the hardware is not a problem, so the traveling arm will probably be a reproduction also, but the machine will not end up in a junk pile or be cannibalized. As I find authentic parts, (if I can find them), they will be used to replace any reproductions.

Calling all, out in the phonograph community!

Let's see if we can help Django revive this "basket-case"!

Django, I'm a sucker for lost causes, so I dug thru my junk drawer and came up with these items.
I am offering any or all of the items pictured, for free, if they will help you complete this machine.

Let's see if we can get a few more donations, like a record hold down or repro horn, to help you complete this machine.

Cheers, Bob S.

Thank you. That is incredibly generous. Can I at least pay you for shipping?